Saturday

It was from her owner Jenny Roth. She got a pup from us that was from Dutchess and Clancy She and her husband picked her up on March 25th, just 8 days ago and the pup was 7 weeks old.

Jenny said in an email;

I just posted a video of her doing some of her new tricks which include sit, down, paw, come, sit pretty, roll over, and bang (play dead). She is very talented. I spend about 10-15 minutes with her a couple times a day before she eats and she picks up on everything right away! A little bit of kibble taken out of her food bowl is the same as treats to her. I've been doing research and I really really suggest clicker training, she responds very well with that. If you do a search for border collie on YouTube you can see a bunch of cool tricks that they can do, it kinda inspires me. This is really my 1st time working with a puppy because all of my other dogs belonged to my mom growing up, but so far I think I am doing a good job :)

I was speechless, I called Elaine to to the computer just to make sure I wasn't loosing my mind. It was a pleasure to watch Jenny & Roxy do the things they do, Jenny even had to hold the camera and if I'm not mistaken she has 3 kids. Great Great Job. I have always said just a few minutes a day and you can get the dog to do anything.

The rain had stopped for a while and we are back in out routine of playing ball and Frisbee..... over and over and over again, but they need it. I think I will start taking them out and play one on one. That way they don't have to fight for the ball or Frisbee. Every one is happy and they do sleep soooo good at night.

Meg and Molly have been sticking to me like glue. Both will walk next to me and jump up and put their two front paws on me and walk beside me on the hind feet. I always stop and give them extra sugar when they do this...and they seem to enjoy it......

For the guys, it's OK to stop reading now, no-one will be offended. I'm going to talk about my Granddaughter.

Maddie "Bear" is 6 months old and growing like a "pretty" weed. I do have several people ask about her, so that's why I do a small update. I will tell you she is a special little girl. When my boys were born years ago, I was told that both of them were girls by the Doctor, so I was all prepared for little girls, this was before they used ultra-sound as much as they do now, well guess what, they were boys, so I never had my girl until Maddie was born.

Brad, her Dad was giving a lecture at Disney World and they all got to go.

This is Maddie's Mom, Angie. She is a wonderful and loving Mother. When Brad, my son was finishing up his Ph.D in Florida, she got a job in Louisville and had to move, so she lived with us. This was a very special time for us and we always loved her, but because she lived with us for a few months, we grew to know her even better and got to know her without Brad around, she is like our own. I commend her Mother and Father for raising a beautiful person both inside and outside. If I could pick anyone in the world, I would have picked Angie. We love you and thank you for giving us Maddie...

Sunday

Molly "2", if you remember stayed with us last weekend while her parents went on a short vacation. The last day she was here, was beautiful and sunny and little did I know she was so helpful around the house. She really turned on, doing things that my dogs are not capable of, She would...

Help with the yard Rake

Help with the Leaf Rake

Give out Sugar

Count the pups to make sure they are all here and keep them in a pile

Help with the Broom

Keep the cats in order.

She would even help with the gas blower﻿ and would bite on the end while it was running, blowing her hair back into a ponytail. The only thing I would do different is when she was on top of the kitchen table, I would have put socks on her so she could wipe it off while she was there. She really was a wonderful dog and we miss her so.

Today and this week has been a bust for the dogs. With the rain every day and all day long, they are ready to run for a while. We try to keep them in just to play for a while, but they need some real running. You can only throw the ball so many times from the recliner.

When Dutchess and Abbie plays ball in the family room in the basement, they will drop the ball in the water while they get a drink, so no one gets it and to keep it close, and don't tell me your dog has never done this. I tried to prevent this but Dutchess "aka" party girl/problem solver has figured out how to raise the lid. What to do........

It's really a treat when they bring it back to you dripping wet...........

This week we have had a guest dog to stay with us. Her name is "Molly". We call her Molly "2" because of our Molly. At first it was a little difficult because both of the dogs respond very well to their name. Every time we would call one, the other would come or do what ever command we would request. She is the pup of Clancy and Dutchess. Just look at the pricked ears and you can tell. Molly "2" and Shepp became good friends. Molly "2" is under a year old, and of course Shepp is low dog in our pack. They teamed up together and did everything together.

This is so cute. The first part of the week was very nice outside and I was getting caught up on some much needed yard work. As usual, Dutchess and Abbie would bring thing to me that appeared to be something we could play with or throw and fetch. I had the top of a outdoor light that was plastic brought to me once, it was round and when I figured it out, I did attempt to throw it like a Frisbee, it didn't go very far, but they were pleased with themselves. Below is something that was brought to me this week while I was mulching in the yard. I really wasn't paying attention but I saw something in their mouth. They would drop it and then pick it up and move it closer to me. After doing this for a few moments, I paid closer attention to them and discovered it was a........

portion of a tennis ball they had discovered, and they thought it would be fine to throw. It looked a little ragged and I knew it wouldn't go very far so I stopped what I was doing and went and got a real ball and off we went to play. Every one was happy.......How can you not, they are so sweet and smart... I love them so.

Meg is a great dog, she loves her daddy (me) and since we trained together she always watches for me to make eye contact for directions. She loves to sit in my lap and just chill. We have all been playing ball and Frisbee today and everybody is wet.......Yea......

Oh...the days of visitors at the farm. This is the time that people will visit the farm, and it starts when we plan a litter and will continue until the last pup is gone. Don't get me wrong, we really enjoy it and welcome the guest. If you have never been here, we live in a very rural area. We are blessed in that we can't see another house and have land that the dogs can run on and still be on our property.

Let me explain. Our dogs usually have the run of the hills. They are free to explore and run and play all day with the exception of when we go to town. I will put them in their kennel, and don't ask why, I just feel that I need to do that when we leave. I guess it's a father thing.

We usually have 50 to 60 visitors a litter from the beginning until they go home. This is because choosing a pup is a big decision. Years ago, before the Internet, we would place an add in the paper and people would show up and pick the dogs that were left. Now days, people will do a "Google" search for dogs and come across our site. We encourage people to check us out and many will come before the pups are even born, just to see the temperament of the parents. We will sit on the porch when it's warm, and in cold weather will go in the house and talk. We usually will bring in the dogs they are interested in and they can get a closer look to see how they will react on a "one on one" basis. We have even offered lunch for someone that may travel a great distance. This even allows us to get a feel for the prospective dog parents, because it really is about the dog.

With this all being said, this is where the problem lyes. Our dogs have figured out that when someone comes down our long driveway, it's play time!!!! They will hear the crunch on the gravel and you should see them. Their ears perk up, they run in circles and they start searching for a ball. It is unusual not to play ball and Frisbee when someone comes, because people want to see them play.

As the car approaches, the dogs will run down the driveway and meet and greet any guest, running circles around the car. Some people will park and walk down the drive, just to be safe. Once the door is open, in Dutchess goes. She is so excited to see new blood to throw the Frisbee, she will pile in the car just to get them to hurry up, and of course, everyone gets kisses and licks regardless of how dirty the dogs feet are. This is a little frustrating to some people because not everyone wants kisses and licks and her jumping on their white shirt, and I understand. At times, it's just a free for all. I make every effort to watch for cars and meet the people before the car stops and once the door is opened, shout,"they will get in", hoping to help, and then in they go.

After everyone settles down, we will go in the house or go to the kennel and see the new pups. While we are inside, everyone and I do mean everyone will stand at the door like little stone statues waiting for someone to come out and play. Dutchess will scratch on the door and even bark (I taught her to bark when she wants something, bad move) to hurry people up. After we finish looking and talking, off we go to play. Oh, they are in heaven. They run and bark just for the chance to show off. You would think they hadn't played for weeks, it's such a routine and something I can always count on.

After a hearty time of playing fetch, and Frisbee and everybody is wet because they have also gotten in the water, the guest will head toward their car. As I said earlier, they will get in the car and if you don't watch, they will get in as the guest are getting in, just to give them the last bit of sugar they have. Everyone who comes, will honestly know that they are loved and appreciated by our dogs and maybe even a little muddy and wet. If you have been here, you have seen this first hand. Sorry....

On a serious note. I received this email this week,

Hello! I just lost my best friend this week. Abby was a 13 year old Border who was beautiful, smart and very loving. Your site has helped me to feel a little better and I wanted to give you thanks. I see her everywhere now and am lost in memories of her. Thanks again. Your dogs and your relationship with them are/is terrific. Thanks again.

I wrote this gentleman back and thanked him for his kind words and and wanted to know more about his "Abby". The loss of a "Heart Dog" can be devastating. I can't imagine the pain, yet, but know I will. I told him I would be honored to share his story, please read it.....

Saturday

Someone once ask me, "Why do you raise pups", and I don't think I ever thought about it myself, but today I found the answer. I was sitting with a family and their kids in the kennel and they were looking at the pups and trying to decide which one they liked the best. Right now, the owners will travel great distances to see their future pup. We encourage people to come before the pup is born, and after, just to see the pup and parents and can start bonding with them, even before the pup goes home. We do enjoy this and the prospective dog parents seems to like it too, some even come every week. We always end a visit with a hearty game of Frisbee and ball with our adult dogs. This is where our dogs really turn on and show off.As I was sitting there watching today; the children playing with the pups, oohing and awing over each one. Well, one at a time, each family member including Mom and Dad had "the one" they wanted picked out, which of course were all different pups! It came to me "This is Why We Have Puppy's" I have seen this scenario hundreds of times, but today, I had my answer.It caused me to think about how much joy and comfort a dog can bring to someone or a family. I usually hear about the future home and the plans they have and even the toys they have bought. It excites me to think that other people can enjoy and love a dog as much as I can. I see the faces of the children and parents light up when they hold a pup and let it nuzzle around their neck and lick their nose. Usually when they leave, the last thing they say is "I can't wait, we're SO excited" and they are on cloud nine as they pull out, heading for home. Many of our dog owners are previous Border Collie owners. I enjoy hearing the stories about their dog that has passed on and the stories often bring a tear to my eye. Many will bring photo's to show us of their beautiful dog, and they always are, just that, perfectly beautiful. I remember one older gentleman who brought a colored crayola drawing that was done by his granddaughter of his dog. I remember his feeble hand and the gleam in his eyes and the spark in his voice, but what I remember most was the tear that fell from the cheek of a proud man who loved his dog. The drawing mentioned the dogs name and that she was in heaven, and I'm sure she is, waiting for her master. I will never forget him. His daughter sent me a video of him and the new puppy, he had purchased from us, together, riding in a golf cart on their farm, side by side. Life is good......I know that our little pups will have a good home and can just imagine all the fun they will have with their new family. There will literally be thousands and thousands of tennis balls thrown and a million Frisbees tossed far into the air. But what really excites me, is thinking of all the times our little pups will be on someones lap or snuggled up in bed with their new families, leaving wet kisses all over their new owners faces, just as they once did to us.We raise dogs because "We want to share the love and joy of a good dog" All dogs are good dogs, it's usually the owner that screws things up. I have kept in contact with many of my dog owners. I love to hear stories and see pictures of their new life with their new family. We even get Christmas cards with exciting stories about everything they have done and hope to do in the upcoming year. Elaine and I have gone to see some of our pups perform in activities, such as 4H and even supported them in ventures they have been involved in. A dog can change your life, it can help you understand yourself and help you to see things differently in a more positive way. I have many owners tell me their dog has changed their life in so many positive ways and are the light of their life. I had one family bring their son on Christmas Eve to pick out a dog which he didn't know a thing about. He was around 13 years old and he was so excited he got teary eyed and needless to say we all did. I have seen that boy grow to a man with his dog by his side. They will board the dog with us when they go on vacation and it's always nice to see both of them and how they have changed.The hard part for me is when the last one goes home leaving an empty kennel, void of little barks and yeps and them scampering up to the gate wanting out, just to play with my shoestrings. I look in and see the empty stall thinking of all the times I have been on my knees bending over in that same stall playing with them and letting them pull my hair or lick my face, oh, I do miss their puppy breath. They even seem to enjoy me singing to them, my favorite....The Theme from Babe, because the movie really is about Border Collies. They will cock their head from side to side with a puzzled look and wonder where that sound is coming from, but I'm sure they enjoy it, I know I do.You see, It might be your dog, but it will always be my pup, and to think we can be a small part of the overall picture, is a pretty neat thing.